The only regret about being out of web-touch for two weeks on our trip was that I missed son Edward’s two-year anniversary of taking the helm at TTAC, and not being able to comment about how proud I am of his success there. But that was on the web; now we’re going to celebrate TTAC and CC together in person, in Portland on Thursday, October 6, with as many of you as can and will show up to the party. Two Niedermeyers for the price of a beer; what a deal.

We’re going to be at Migration Brewery, 2828 NE Glisan Street (map here), starting at 5:30 PM. Just look for the 1937 Hispano Suiza Xenia Coupe parked out front, at the curb.

You’re killing me! So wish I could be there for such an occassion with two of my favorite people but it’s a long haul from Baltimore! I hope you have a terrific turnout and congrats to Edward (Ted) and the proud parents.

Are we going to have one table with no political or industry talk and one table with no old-farts-and-their-old-cars stories? Here’s hoping we’ll be able to recreate the good old days… with TTAC and CC side-by-side, like the yin-yang of car culture. Can’t wait!

Oh, you guys and your Pacific Northwest! I wish I could get there, but you are a bit of a trip from Indianapolis. If one of you tech-savvy guys brings a laptop, those of us who are geographically challenged could email a greeting or a toast.

I’ll miss you by a few days–I’m in Portland on business this week and staying the weekend. I’m about five minutes away. I guess I won’t be able to bring my Bugatti Atlantic, er, rented Mazda5 to the party.

I sure hope it’s not just Paul, Edward and me! We’ll have to drink all the beer ourselves.

I just stopped by the Migration Brewery. Great place! They have real good wifi too. It speed-tested at 2 Mbits/sec both up and down on my smartphone. Should be good for a bit of video conferencing.

As JPC suggested, for the far-flung geographically challenged, I’ll bring my MacBook to the get-together and we can do a multi-way Skype video call or a Google+ Hangout. Never did one of those before, I’ll find out how.

As I said on TTAC, you should really not pick a weeknight for these. I’d be there in a heartbeat on a friday or saturday night, but a run to PDX + Beer + plus a run back to central Oregon for work the next day is frankly impossible. Same goes for anyone outside the immediate PDX area (read Seattle, etc.)

We had a very fine time Thursday night! Wonderful to meet the Niedermeyer family, Paul, Stephanie and Edward. Wonderful to meet some local CC and TTAC fans. Thanks Paul!

There I met TTAC fan and Miata enthusiast Mark Clark. I’ve always wanted a Miata, but I tried a friend’s car and was too tall to fit. Mark’s tall like me, but he did a seat foam-ectomy on his car and I fit in it just fine. Re-inspired, I inevitably checked Craigslist, and the perfect car was waiting for me there. 24 hours later I’m a very happy Miata owner!

It wouldn’t have happened without CC and this great community. Thanks guys!

PS: Eventually I’m going to electrify this Miata, to be the sports EV daily-driver I’ve always wanted. Same weight, same handling. No rush though, I’m going to enjoy its sweet 1.6L twin-cam for awhile before finding it a good home. I’ll keep you posted.

I’m jealous. I have kept Miata-desire at a low boil for years (alternating with similar lust for an old Mustang GT convertible). One of these times I will find it. I am happy to see that you will be enjoying yours!

I’ll certainly keep you posted as the EV comes along. My ’93 is bare-bones, 2100 lb., no power anything and no AC, which is perfect both for an EV and a pure roadster. I also have in mind to do a Miata CC sometime soon.

Jim, I too had the Mustang GT convertible bug at one time, and drove one a friend at work was selling, but never took the plunge.

Dan, that must be the ’91 Miata Special Edition BRG you’re lusting after. Miata.net says they only made 4000, and they have a special registry. It is surely the sweetest of all Miatas.

Now back to cleaning out the other half of the garage. My wife loves the car (she drove an Alfa GTV-6 when we met) but only on condition I make room for it ;->